Joel Connelly: The Doctor — Ron Paul — is in . . . Seattle

Dr. Ron Paul is to Republican politics what the famous “Lonesome End” was to the Army football teams of the 1950′s.

The libertarian Texas congressman is far apart from the field, be it in his criticism of the Iraq War, or his opposition to the USA Patriot Act, or his advocacy of bringing back gold standard, or his proposals for a radical pairing of the federal government.

The libertarian is about to hit liberal Seattle. The onetime Air Force flight surgeon is courting the West Coast this week, and has scheduled no fewer than five events Friday, Sept. 14th, in Seattle.

He will hold a fundraising luncheon — minimum donation, $200 — from 11:30 to 1 p.m. at the Lake Union Naval Reserve Building.

It on to the Campion Tower Ballroom at Seattle University, for a 1:30 p.m. lecture on the U.S. Constitution. The event will be open to the public.

The doctor gets no rest after that. He is slated to appear from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p,m. at the College Club for a “briefing,” admission $200 minimum, followed by a 6 p.m. reception at the Westin. The reception will set you back $1,000.

The day ends with a Ron Paul rally at 7:30 p.m.in the grand ballroom of the Westin, which has emerged as the chosen Seattle venue for both Democratic and Republican presidential candidates.

Paul is a self-described “non-interventionist” who has long opposed U.S. military interventions overseas. The Texan has been described by the Almanac of American Politics as “probably the least dependable and persuadable Republican in the House.”

He has been attacked in debates by Rudy Giuliani, and one Republican national committeeman suggested that he be banned from joint appearances by the Republican candidates.

Yet, Paul has emerged as something of an internet hero, and a political safe harbor for those whose whose reaction to the GOP and Democratic fields is to say, “None of the Above.”

Paul has a Washington connection. He had a kindrid spirit on the gold standard in the late Rep. Jack Metcalf, R-Wash. And Metcalf’s former district director, Lew Moore of Everett, is Paul’s national manager.

As of mid-year, the Paul presidential campaign had raised only $3 million, compared to $43.5 million for the Mitt Romney juggernaut.

Paul shows up among fundraising leaders only in the Mountain West states of Montana and Wyoming with, as High Country News reported last month, “the bulk of his contributions coming from rural areas.”

Paul has served two stints in Congress. He sat in the House from 1978 to 1984, when he lost a Senate primary. He ran for president in 1988 as nominee of the Libertarian Party.

Paul returned to Congress in 1996, as a thorn in the side of then-House Majority Leader (and fellow Texan) Tom DeLay.

Nowadays, however, DeLay is out of the House and fighting a criminal indictment, while Paul is attracting a national following.

Those interested in the Paul visit should contact jeff.frazee@ronpaul2008.com for further information.